Men’s group decries ‘disgusting’ Evelyn Dick merchandise line based on infamous Hamilton killer

An infamous 1940s Hamilton killer is getting celebrity treatment in a new line of products, leading a men’s group to call the project “disgusting.”

Hamilton artist Chris Farias is designing a line of postcards, tote bags, T-shirts and shot glasses as part of a capsule collection dedicated to Evelyn Dick, who was linked to the dismemberment of her husband and convicted in the death of her infant son.

Sayings on pieces in the not-yet-finalized collection will include, “Love you to pieces,” and “The fastest way to a man’s heart is through his torso.”

A local gift shop owner asked him to create the line because of customer demand for Evelyn Dick-related items.

Ms. Dick’s story is the stuff of legend in Hamilton.

“It’s probably one of the most bizarre murder cases we’ve ever had in Hamilton,” said Margaret Houghton, an archivist with the Hamilton Public Library. “It had everything. It had violence, it had murder, it had sex.”

One of the most bizarre murder cases we’ve ever had

The tale dates back to 1946, when children playing on Hamilton Mountain stumbled across a human torso belonging to John Dick, Ms. Dick’s husband.

A sensational trial followed, in which she admitted to sleeping with 150 men, including the judge’s son. The story garnered international media attention.

Ms. Houghton describes Ms. Dick as a notorious party girl with the air of a femme fatale, “for Hamilton anyways.” She had dark hair, dressed impeccably and wore furs to court.

In 1946, a court sentenced Ms. Dick to be hanged. Shortly after, her lawyer appealed the verdict and won, acquitting Ms. Dick of the charges, though suspicions remained that her father, an alcoholic, was involved in the crime, with her playing a supporting role. In 1947, she was a free woman — briefly.

Police soon discovered a baby encased in concrete in a suitcase in her home. Mrs. Dick was eventually found guilty of manslaughter in the death of her apparent missing son, Peter David White.

“People are obsessed with it,” Ms. Houghton said. “If you say ‘the torso murder’ to someone in Hamilton, they’ll know exactly what you’re talking about. All the older people all have some kind of Evelyn story, ‘My grandmother’s neighbour babysat her’ or whatever.”

Evelyn Dick’s story has been the focus of two books, a play, a documentary, a movie and an opera, she said.

“It’s become almost mythological… because it’s the story that doesn’t go away,” she said.

Some think her victims should be allowed to rest in peace.

“It’s pretty disgusting to try to glorify and make light of what happened,” said Adam McPhee, a member of the board of directors with the Canadian Association for Equality, a Toronto-based men’s group.

Mr. McPhee said this project would be condemned if it featured a man who killed a woman.

“If someone started trying to glorify Paul Bernardo… there would be huge uproar,” he said.

In 2011, women’s groups expressed outraged after a London, Ont., baseball team called itself the “London Rippers,” an apparent nod to Jack the Ripper, who notoriously killed prostitutes in London, England, in the late 1800s.

London Mayor Joe Fontana even asked the team to change its name. The team president refused and denied any association with Jack the Ripper, despite naming the team mascot “Jack.” The team folded in 2012, its name still intact.

“In this case, when it’s a man who was murdered by a woman, they’re glorifying the woman,” said Mr. McPhee. “It’s a trend I can see where men being victimized is often laughed off.”

Donna Reid, who asked Mr. Farias to design the line, stands by her request.

We have a story that a lot of people get a kick out of

“We have a story that a lot of people get a kick out of in Hamilton,” she said, adding that gift shops in Chicago sell merchandise of Al Capone, the city’s notorious gangster.

Mr. Reid’s shop, The Hamilton Store, where the Evelyn Dick products will be sold, specializes in products that celebrate the city’s history. The line will debut Sept. 11 at Supercrawl, an arts festival.

“It’s certainly not a celebration of anything negative. It’s kind of tongue in cheek,” she said. “She is one of those things that is Hamilton.”

After serving 11 years in prison for the manslaughter death of her son, Ms. Dick was released on parole in 1958 and given a new identity. Nothing has been heard from her since. If she is still alive, she would be 94.

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